Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Personal Qualities
To what degree do you think high schools should be responsible for the development of “personal qualities” (Adaptability/Flexibility, Dedication/Hard-Working/Work Ethic/Tenacity, Dependability/Reliability/Responsibility, Honesty/Integrity/Morality, Loyalty, Positive Attitude/Motivation/Energy, Professionalism, Self Motivated/Ability to Work with Little Supervision, Willingness to Learn) to prepare students for future employment?
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First let me say that these qualities, along with others, must be instilled at home. The high schools need to reinforce the qualities not only for the sake of businesses, but also for the future of the individual. I have passed over many candidates because of the lack of the qualities more than for lack of skills.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ed, the qualities start at home. However, while teaching at the local High School I found that many parents do not posses good parental qualities. The school system is where most students spend the majority of time outside the home. Most high schools are looking into cutting the Career Technical Education courses. This is one area that I feel is needed to strengthen these qualities. Dedication is the number one problem with most employees: not willing to try new approaches, tardiness, absent from work, lack of motivation. As a manager in local industries, I looked for personal qualities during the interview process. Sure, the educational background helped, but I focused more on the applicants dress etire, actions, ability to answer the interview questions.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the schools should reinforce and nurture these qualities, but the incubation and development of these qualities must occur at home. Unfortunately, I think students who possess these qualities don't always get recognition or attention. It is easy to overlook them when a teacher's attention must go to the misbehaving or troubled student. Anything the schools can do to reinforce these qualities in students would be so helpful, even if it's just to hold a humble student after class for a moment to tell them how much the teacher admires and values them. Indeed, the students who possess these qualities are going to be the candidates who stand out in the employment process.
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